OIT Summer Splash: Students now have choice for receiving UTSA e-mail
(Aug. 6, 2010)--Something changed this summer for UTSA students that could make life a little less complicated. Beginning July 29, students were given the option to designate their preferred e-mail account. The e-mail change is part of OIT Summer Splash, a series of projects by the Office of Information Technology to improve the online experience for UTSA students, faculty and staff.
Previously, official UTSA correspondence was sent exclusively to a student's "my.utsa.edu" e-mail account. However, statistics and anecdotal evidence showed many students rarely checked their official e-mail accounts. That meant students could be missing important and time-sensitive information sent from UTSA.
In January, the Office of Information Technology asked students which e-mail account they would prefer to designate as their official method of communication -- "my.utsa.edu" or another personal e-mail account.
"Over 4,000 UTSA students responded to our online poll," said Cindy Espinoza, project manager. "We were really surprised to see the vote was split almost exactly down the middle. Because the vote was so close, it was decided to allow students to make their own choice."
Consequently, OIT worked closely with the UTSA Office of the Registrar to create a new process. Changes were made to computer applications and a communication plan was set into motion. As a result, students now can log in to the ASAP information system to designate a preferred e-mail account.
Faculty members will begin seeing a variety of e-mail addresses in applications such as Blackboard and Banner. Most importantly, students now can receive information from UTSA in the e-mail account they are most likely to access. It may sound like a small change, but it is one that will provide great benefits including improving communication.
Events
This academically rigorous mathematics-based summer enrichment program prepares middle and high school students for advanced studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Participants learn about problem-solving systems, develop greater awareness of STEM careers and strengthen their research skills.
UTSA Main CampusArchaeology 101 will introduce campers to archaeology and build on learned skills through experimental activities (like cave painting, weaving, and garbology).
Center for Archaeological Research, UTSA Main CampusThe camp exposes rising high school juniors, rising seniors and incoming college freshman to the many facets of the criminal justice system. Students will have opportunities to learn the functions of police in society and apply scientific theories to criminal investigations by examining a mock crime scene.
UTSA Main CampusThe Academy for Teacher Excellence Research Center invites you to join us for the Summer Bridging Institute. This institute will focus on being lifelong growers and continually seeking to increase our skills as educators.
UTSA Downtown CampusArchaeology 201 will briefly go over the foundations of archaeology and related skills, followed by a different topic over the course of this week (like skeletal analysis, global cultures, and more).
Center for Archaeological Research, UTSA Main CampusCraft a comic to create your own narrative and find your voice through storytelling. Participants will learn to create characters that are self-reflective and through a community lens.
REGSS Community Room (DB 3.202,) UTSA Downtown CampusCome enjoy a discussion on art as a self expression in the age of moving technology and telling your story with a community.
REGSS Community Room (DB 3.202,) UTSA Downtown Campus